Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Anyone can steer a ship when the water is calm.
In plain terms
It is easy to lead when things are smooth.
What can you take from it?
True leadership is tested in storms.

Where it applies

  • crisis management
  • stable periods
  • team management

Putting it to work

  • train for crises
  • value calm periods for preparation

Questions to consider

  • How do you practice for the storm?
  • Is calm leadership worthless?

Another view

Calm leadership is still necessary to avoid disaster.

More from Publilius Syrus

  1. In sterculino plurimum gallus potest.

    Permalink to quote #20

  2. Treat your friend as if he might become an enemy.

    Permalink to quote #22

  3. Amid a multitude of projects, no plan is devised.

    Permalink to quote #19

Related quotes

  1. Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy night.

    Joseph L. MankiewiczJoseph L. Mankiewicz quote #1

  2. General Kurt Student was a German of the almost obsessively meticulous order and was determined to ensure that every unit involved in the forthcoming operation…

    Kurt StudentKurt Student quote #5

  3. How will I ever get out of this labyrinth?

    Simon BolivarSimon Bolivar quote #5